By Yakubu Mustapha
Thursday, 17th September 2026, was a dark day in Niger State, a tragedy whose painful memory will not easily fade from the minds of the people, especially the affected families. The nation was shocked by the news that no fewer than 37 artisanal miners had died while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.
Tension mounted rapidly across Minna, Niger State, and beyond as news of the deaths spread. Public outrage intensified upon learning that many of the victims were very young Nigerians, including teenagers aged between 15 and 17.
The incident comes amidst growing scrutiny of the NSCDC Niger State Command under Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. While the command under his leadership has demonstrated zeal, commitment, and determination to combat illegal mining and protect national economic assets, its enforcement operations have frequently been plagued by violent confrontations.
Recent clashes include a night raid at Kurokpa where an officer was killed, an attack in Zuzungi village where an operational Hilux vehicle was burnt, and additional skirmishes in Maitumbi, M.I. Wushishi, and Shiroro respectively.
The tragedy began following a “burst operation” conducted by the NSCDC on 15th and 16th September around M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages. Over 65 suspects including illegal miners and individuals detained for minor civil offenses, were crammed into cells at the state command headquarters.
By the early hours of 17th September, 37 detainees were discovered dead. While the corpses were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination, early reports pointed to a possible disease outbreak, severe overcrowding, or toxic exposure.
As news of the deaths broke, public outrage boiled over into widespread civil unrest. Mobs vandalized the state transport fleet, damaged financial institutions and political offices, and looted private businesses.
Unconfirmed reports also indicated that subsequent clashes between protesters and security agents resulted in additional casualties.
In the face of this volatile situation, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, suspended his scheduled political activities and official visits to stand with the affected families and mourn the deceased.
The governor imposed a 12-hour curfew, from 6:00pm to 6:00am, across the state capital, effectively curbing further destruction by lawless elements.
At a press conference, Governor Bago appealed to aggrieved youths and residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. He noted that while surviving detainees reported severe suffocation and dehydration, preliminary forensic observations, such as skin peeling and blood-stained foam around the mouths of some victims, left open the possibility of chemical exposure to substances like methane, cyanide, or lead commonly associated with illegal mining.
The governor immediately constituted a state committee of inquiry, ordered a comprehensive forensic and autopsy examination, and initiated the compilation of an official register of the deceased to ensure proper identification and engagement with their families.
Furthermore, the state government ordered the full closure of the illegal mining site at M.I. Wushishi, citing severe safety hazards and a lack of protective equipment. The state government also announced the immediate suspension of the state controller of the NSCDC pending the outcome of investigations.
The Federal Government followed with swift actions to restore peace and stability in the state capital where some youths went on rampage in protest to destroyed public and private properties.
Commandant General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi dispatched a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation to examine cell conditions, custody duration, and the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.
Also, the Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo led a delegation to Minna to express the Federal Government’s deep sympathies, promising that official negligence would not be condoned.
He ordered the suspension of the State Commandant of the Niger State Civil Defence, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye together with other 20 of the officers of NSCDC.
The affected officers include: SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — QC Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard,
CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer, DCC Philip Ajayi — HOD INT/INV, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer, IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada — Guard Duty.
Others are: CAI Liman Abubakar — Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman — Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya — Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman — Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi — Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu — Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed — Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah — Guard Duty, and CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also ordered a full, transparent investigation, emphasizing that the life of every Nigerian is sacred and that law enforcement operations must strictly respect human dignity and fundamental rights.
Nigeria Police Force: Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu personally visited the scene in Minna, reassuring the public that the Police Force, which bears constitutional jurisdiction over custody-related deaths, would conduct a thorough, compromise-free investigation to uncover the truth.
The combined maturity of the residents, the faith of the affected families, and the swift, coordinated actions of both the Niger State Government and federal authorities successfully de-escalated a highly volatile crisis.
As calm gradually returns to Minna, Nigerlites and the broader Nigerian public now look forward to the release of the official forensic reports to ensure that justice is served to all parties involved.
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